Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of opera singer Maria Callas in the new biopic “Maria” has sparked a mix of praise and criticism from critics after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Some critics have lauded Jolie’s performance, with Jada Yuan from The Washington Post even predicting a best actress nomination for the Academy Awards. However, others, like Kevin Maher from The Times, have been less impressed, calling the film “wearily flat” and Jolie a “pale imitation of an opera star.”
Despite the mixed reviews, director Pablo Larraín’s film has been pegged as a potential Oscar contender, with Vulture’s Nate Jones highlighting the film’s exploration of Callas’ final weeks and Jolie’s return to the screen after a hiatus.
The Daily Mail’s Brian Viner gave the film two stars but praised Jolie’s dedication to the role, noting her months of singing training and convincing portrayal of the legendary soprano.
Jolie, who was visibly moved to tears during a standing ovation at the festival, shared her nerves about singing in the film, emphasizing the emotional vulnerability she connected with in Callas.
The actress’s personal life, including her high-profile divorce from Brad Pitt, has often overshadowed her career, but her performance in “Maria” has sparked talk of an Oscar comeback.
With Jolie’s dedication to the role and the film’s exploration of Callas’ complex life, “Maria” is sure to continue generating buzz as awards season approaches.
